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Tornado

Violently rotating column of air extending from a thunderstorm to the ground.

twister

A tornado is a violently rotating column of air extending from a thunderstorm to the ground. They are characterized by intense winds and often visible condensation funnels. Tornadoes form under specific atmospheric conditions involving instability, wind shear, and lift.

Pronunciation

/ˈtɔːrˌneɪdoʊ/

Etymology

Tornado comes from Spanish tronada, meaning thunderstorm.

Explain Like I’m 5

A tornado is like a giant, spinning straw that comes from a big storm and touches the ground.

Fun Facts

The United States experiences more tornadoes than any other country
Tornadoes can occur at any time of year, though they are most common in the spring
Some tornadoes have winds exceeding 300 mph

FAQ

What is a tornado? A violently rotating column of air extending from a thunderstorm to the ground
How are tornadoes measured? Using the Enhanced Fujita Scale (EF Scale)
What causes tornadoes? Warm, moist air colliding with cool, dry air

Hypernyms — Broader Categories

weather phenomenon storm

Hyponyms — Specific Examples

waterspout dust devil

Meronyms — Parts or Components

funnel cloud debris field

Holonyms — Wholes or Groups

thunderstorm

Indexes

meteorological phenomenon natural disaster

Related

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